New challenge for youthful Roar

Brisbane Roar have named one of the club’s youngest squads in the club’s 10-year Hyundai A-League history for tonight’s rescheduled Round 11 match against Western Sydney Wanderers at Suncorp Stadium.

The Roar has four players missing through international duty, Matt McKay and Luke DeVere with the Socceroos and James Donachie and Corey Brown with the Australian under 23s while senior players Michael Theo (groin), Thomas Broich (ankle), Henrique (knee) and Jade North (groin) are sidelined through injury.

With so much experience missing, the club has turned to its young brigade – including players from the Foxtel National Youth League Premiership runners-up squad – to deal with Wanderers tonight.

Quick-footed winger Shannon Brady, who has made two Hyundai A-League appearances this season, and 19-year-old central defender Lachlan Jackson are likely to feature in the squad as well as midfielder George Lambadaridis who has only played in the FNYL on his comeback from a knee injury.

Roar striker Andrija Kaluderovic said irrespective of who Head Coach Frans Thijssen chose to take the field, the team needed to win to bridge the gap on sixth-placed Melbourne City who are five points ahead of Brisbane, having played two more games.

“We have two catch up games plus we play Melbourne City (on Saturday),” he said.

“We have a big chance but everything is up to us.”

Andrija also showed faith in the youngsters to put in a strong performance against the Wanderers.

“The young boys are good players but they have to work hard every day to show they are top players,” Kaluderovic said.

Western Sydney is also expected to field a young side tomorrow, similar to the team that played against Newcastle Jets on Saturday, as they also deal with the challenge of dual Hyundai A-League and AFC Champions League commitments and a mounting injury list.

The Wanderers are still searching for their first away win of the season, having scored just four times in their last eight Hyundai A-League fixtures.